It was hard, on the Monday after Thanksgiving, to
say/feel or think, ‘OK, it’s over; time to move into Christmas mode.’ Like so
many have. Why?
What follows are some of the reasons.
There
were still 5 days of November left. Since I’d made a rule never to begin
Christmas (except in my mind—oh, and unless I spot a perfect gift) until
December 1, my pumpkins, gourds and leaves, fall table cloths and runners will
stay where they are. As long as the trees stay vibrant, it is autumn’s time.
I want
to keep the memories of a more-blessed-than-usual holiday weekend-- one that
lasted from Wednesday through Saturday—in my mind.
Unusual:
A sibling flew in from Virginia on Wednesday. Barb stayed till early Saturday
morning when I drove her from west Hot Springs to the Bill and Hillary Clinton
National airport in Little Rock. She hadn’t heard of the change of the
airport’s name.
Unusual:
One of our sisters turned 70 and her daughter-in-law planned a BIG, perfect, surprise
celebration.
Unusual:
The 50th anniversary of one of our brothers and his wife was
acknowledged and celebrated—by us, if not by them. Celebrated, that is. Both
are low key and would not have ever mentioned it. They brought black-eyed peas
seasoned as only Janice can do, and some additional dishes—salads and a shrimp
soup––prepared by their Mexican friend.
Unusual:
Our newlyweds joined the family circle and the family gathered around a
computer to view honeymoon pictures taken in the Dominican Republic, a trip
made possible by gifts from his parents and an aunt who had time share
opportunities.
Unusual:
For the first time in my memory, there was no cranberry sauce and no Jell-O
salad. But, for the first time in said memory, a brother brought two large pans
of “Mom’s and Aunt Erma’s yeast rolls.” They were to fight over. Though no one
had to.
Unusual: The visiting-from-Portland vegetarian
prepared collard greens and baked mac-and-cheese. I took a bowl of stewed
pears, and my slow-cooked fruit compote was totally forgotten until afterwards.
But it was good with ice cream later.
Usual:
James (my eldest grandson) drove over from England with slices of
pumpkin-chocolate chip loaf, some of which I brought home. Yummy!
Usual:
Kid Billy drove up from Arkadelphia, his home away from home. Of course, he
needed some moolah. His mother and sister drove over from Benton with a
first-time-for-the-Thanksgiving-table dish of au gratin potatoes. Raves ensued.
( a new tradition, perhaps?)
Usual/Unusual:
Jenn and family drove down from Conway with her signature dish of sweet
potatoes. Grandson Jake, 11, who’d grown a foot since we’d seen him, pronounced
this “the best Thanksgiving he could remember.” He plays violin in the middle
school orchestra and we saw/heard iPhone videos of part of his first concert.
It included “Twinkle, twinkle, little star” (tune by Mozart) and “Ode to Joy”
(tune by Beethoven). I did not hear one out-of-tune note in the 80-piece group!
Usual:
Our year-after-year hosts, Bev and Judge Buddy Villines, kept the fire going
and the dishes in the dishwasher.
Unusual:
Their younger daughter and son-in-law announced a future addition to their
family.
If all
that wasn’t worth crowing about … worth thinking about during the countdown to
Christmas … do you see now why I can’t
yet let it go?
c 2012 by Pat Laster dba lovepat press, Benton AR
1 comment:
Unusual: I spent Thanksgiving in Arkansas instead of Texas:)) yay.
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